East Windsor deputy mayor resigns following drunken driving arrest

View full sizeThe Times of TrentonEast Windsor Deputy Mayor Walter Daniels is seen in this file photo from 2003.

EAST WINDSOR – Following an arrest on drunk-driving charges in Hightstown earlier this month, Deputy Mayor Walter Daniels officially stepped down from his post today in a letter addressed to Mayor Janice Mironov.

“I have greatly enjoyed my service on the Council and, in particular, working with you in providing the highest level of public service to the residents of East Windsor Township,” Daniels wrote in his letter to Mironov.

His resignation ends a 15-year stint on the all-Democrat council. He would’ve been up for reelection this November.

“Though the case is still pending, I think it is best that I resign my position on the East Windsor Township Council because I do not wish this situation to diminish or distract from the important work being done by the Township Council or reflect negatively on the Council’s past achievements,” he added in the note.

Copies of the letter, which was faxed to reporters this morning, were also sent to the township’s other council members, along with the township’s clerk, manager, and attorney.

Daniels was arrested following a 7:45 p.m. traffic stop on March 1.

A Hightstown patrolman observed Daniels’ car traveling 12 miles per hour over the posted speed limit and swerving, nearly going off the right side of the roadway at several points.

According to the police report, after being taken into custody, “Mr. Daniels repeatedly stated ‘You know who I am!’”

“While processing Mr. Daniels, he was adamant about me calling police officials on his behalf. Mr. Daniels repeatedly told me that this wasn’t going to happen and that once I made these calls, he would be released with a couple points and a fine,” the report continues. “At one point, Mr. Daniels … asked me what I wanted out of this and what I wanted for this.”

Daniels is scheduled to appear in Hightstown municipal court on April 6 at 1:30 p.m. He has retained Mark S. Shane, of the Edison-based law firm Shane and White, as his attorney. Shane has served on the East Windsor Township Zoning Board of Adjustment and the Hightstown-East Windsor Chamber of Commerce.